Cape Cod Bird Nerd

4.18.17 Tuesday Tweets - John Wing Trail - Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
Brewster, MA

I feel it's always good to have a change of scenery, especially when you're traveling the same trails. We always notice new things along our way during Tuesday Tweets and I've decided to loop in the other direction on the trail these past two weeks. There was enough wind to keep us from the sands of Cape Cod Bay this morning, not to mention an extended Pine Warbler show! Last week, we could hear him(the Pine Warbler), but we never got a peek at him. I'm not crazy enough to be talking about the same bird, I just mean that it can be slightly frustrating hearing that beautiful lilt coming from the tree tops... without even a glimpse of the pretty bird it's coming from. We do get a catchy natural soundtrack on our walks each time we take to these trails.

The Ospreys did not disappoint, and we were able to see and hear them as we crossed the marsh this morning. As we approached Paines Creek, I did hear a Belted Kingfisher in the distance, though we never caught sight of one. What I did hear over and over again, was the "WHEEP!" of what sounded somewhat like a Great-crested Flycatcher... though I kept saying as I was hearing it,"...but it's too early..." (in the season). Then I also said, "...it could be an Eastern Towhee. My ears are sometimes fooled this time of year." Then a few moments after I mentioned it...the Eastern Towhee male flew across the marsh and the creek. First Towhee of 2017 for most of us! : )

I wanted to also check the meadow, so even though that meant a bit of back pedaling along the trail, it didn't matter. We lucked out on the meadow as well, because both an Eastern Bluebird male, and an American Goldfinch male both popped up. They even posed for an instant or three together in the distance. Sorry... I didn't get a photo of that, it was too quick and far away. The Bluebird photos I did get are far from perfect, but I feel they're about appreciating the blue, rust and white plumage of that happy little thrush, that made my photos worthwhile to post here. (double click photos to enlarge)

Our List:
Northern Cardinal
Black-capped Chickadee
Osprey
Great Black-backed Gull
Song Sparrow
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Tufted Titmouse
American Goldfinch
American Crow
Mallard
Belted Kingfisher
Herring Gull
Pine Warbler
Mourning Dove
Brown-headed Cowbird
Eastern Towhee
Laughing Gull
Eastern Bluebird
White-breasted Nuthatch